The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-18

before il was set off as a Territory. I changed
the orth1eraphy from ooiseonsin to Its present
FORM The winter before, Congress had q
squaoble about the name of the proposed Terri
tory but the next winter they made the law
giving the name as had printed it. In 1867
published a map Of Iowa and gave the present
orthography. Before that 1t was written loway.
DID You not make some military maps that
were used prring the rebelliong'
les sir, did. / shall always believe that
originated the plan for the capture of Vicks-
burg. bad been over the country in that
vicinity when was young man and knew 1t
we'll | made a map showing fifty miles square,
including Port Gibson Grand Gulf and Jackson.
Some of nv friends advised me to send 1t to-
General Grant | wrote on the margin, Grand
Gulf and Bruinsburg are the places to capture
and hold: then destroy the bridges over Big
Back river and Bayou Pierre: these
streams will guard your TANKS Then
march out and capture Jackson; this
leisure / sent this to Gen. Grant and after
wards the canal project which he was work
ing was abandoned and my plan was adopted
4 also made map of eastern Virginia for secret
war movements 1t was laid off in sections on
base line drawn through Fortress Monroe,
and meridian line through Richmond. BY
means of this officer could be ordered to oc-
cupy any section it appeared on this map.
and X the instructions fell into the hands or the
enemy they could not be understood. Gen.
Butler told me that his movements In eastern
Virginia were planned and carried out by this
map
Although Mr.. Morrison's story is in many par
ticulars stranger than felton, its accuracy can
not be questioned. The struggles OF his early
life in which he breasted the blows of circum-
stance" and forced his way to an honorable
position among his fellows. are well known to
many old residents AS to his war maps he has
the following letters in his possession which are
Of great historical interest:
NEAR VICKsBURG March 10, 1868.
8. Morrison, Esq:
Dear Sir-Your note inclosing map of Vicksburg
and surroundings duly received. Also your
ond letter.
The cana, across the point will undoubtedly prove
success and would now have been ready for use,
nearly bat for accident resulting from the great
rise of water. The river has broken in the upper
dam to the canal and filed it with water making
crevasse in the canal levee about midway of the
point This will set us back probably ten days.
supplied with all the engineers and other staff
officers provided for by law and have the author
Yours, ETC.. u. s. GRANT, Major General.
FIT MONROE Va, March 6, 1864.
My Dear Sir-I have received your very excellent
rollers so that it can be used. From the cursory
examination have been able to give it think it will
be of use, and much obliged for it.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
BENZ. Z. BUTLER, Maj. Gen. Army.
Samuel Morrison. Esq.
BOSTON, May rs. 1884.
My Dear Sr-The map of yours, after got to Ber
muda Hundreds along in the summer was lost, and L
thing than that and nm very glad to hear from
the author of it. adam grateful for expressions of
commence ana regard 1ourS truly,
BENZ. F. BUTLER.
Samuel Morrison. Esq.
While iu the land Office Dir. Morrison made
several discoveries and improvements in the
systems of work which have since been used In
the department. He originated the system of
printed sheets for drawing township maps, and
had the first plate engraved from which they
were printed. He discovered o principle for the
calculation of fractional sections, by which the
old mode of calculation by latitude and depart
ure was superseded aad much time
and labor was saved. lie also dis
covered that the relations between the
fractional tracts in such fractional sections
were such that when the dimensions OF one were
known the others could be- determined by
short and simple process without separate calcn-
lation. Although these discoveries have been
of great service to the government, Mr.. Morrl-
son received no greater reward than the clerks
who did ordinary work by his side. Since be
has lived here he has suffered financial losees.
gress for special compensation, but action
has been taken on his memorial
Mr. Morrison has among his menlentoes a
fine gold headed cane, which presented to
him at the Ohio pioneers meeting at Hunts
Grove near Eliza bethtown, in 1888, as being the
Oldest man on the grounds. He has also a pair
of torsoise-sheli trimmed spectacles which were
presented him at Broad Ripple, in the same
year, at a pioneers meeting there. BE is
table encyclopedia of Indiana history. and has
written many valuable articles in that field. AL
though he has mat financial reverses he is rich
in these things: excellent health, good con-
science. and the respect and esteem of all who
know him.